Gamespy Nation Showcases Aztecs, Japanese Russians, Egyptians French, Chinese Germans, Mayan Greek, Nubian Romans, Mongols Turks, Inca Koreans, Spanish Bantu, British IGN Unit Showcases Light Infantry, Fighter Aircraft, Siege Units Heavy Cavalry, Bowmen, Light Warships Horse Archers, Gunpowder Infantry, Bombers Heavy Infantry, Tanks, Heavy Warships Generals, Spies, Scholars, Merchants, Militia Fireships, Submarines, Flamethrowers, Machine Guns Light Cavalry, Helicopters, Mobile A-A Supply Wagons, Missiles, Aircraft Carriers Soundtrack Composer

GamerDad Review (5/5: "Approved")
“The important thing to remember is that Rise of Nations is a classy and mature game, despite the war and carnage, it's tastefully handled and offers multiple victory conditions and encourages creative thinking and strategy.”

Game Industry News Review (4.5/5)
“Rise of Nations brings some interesting elements to the table and is more than worthy of any strategy gamer. Rounded out with an exceptional tutorial, something missing from most games these days, Rise of Nations excels at letting strategy gamers do what they do best: plan and execute wars on their opponents.”

Play Magazine Review (Grade: A)
“Combined with 18 genuinely unique nations, wickedly cool technologies and possible (sic) the best AI ever found in an RTS, you can load up Rise of Nations and forget about going out for a while...the latest from Microsoft Game Studios takes the torch from Command and Conquer: Generals as the best RTS to date."

Entertainment Weekly Review (Grade:A-)
“Not since you and your pals sat hunched around a Risk board at the kitchen table has global domination been this much fun.”

PC Arena Review (4.5/5)
“Rise Of Nations has gameplay that rocks and beats out any recent RTS offerings and at a pace that you can be done in 90 minutes or less - all of which makes this an ideal game for almost any gamer.”

The Wargamer Review
“...the various elements that are borrowed from turn-based games go a long way in setting it apart from the pack. The superb AI and near limitless replay value means that it is way ahead of most RTS offerings. Simply put, Rise of Nations is my absolute favorite historical RTS and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with even a minute interest in playing out the dynamic scope of human warfare.”

Armchair Empire Review (9.0/10)
“...the real-time portion is next to flawless with many strategies that can be successful, very little micromanagement, good AI pathfinding, and an excellent user interface for both beginners and more advanced players. The variety of units throughout the ages keeps the battles interesting at all times.”

Total Games Review (9/10)
“Even in the single battles, the underlying Civilization-esque context makes RON by far one of the most wholesome RTS titles we’ve ever played.”

Eurogamer Review (9/10)
“Rise of Nations is one of the most impressive strategy games we've seen in years.”

Netjak Review (9.3/10)
"This game is definitely a must-have for the RTS fan and/or history buffs...Until now, Age of Empires has really been the RTS game to which other RTS games were measured. The time has come for Age of Empires to move over and let Rise of Nations take over as proverbial king of the mountain. Pick this one up today; you won't be disappointed."

St. Petersburg Times Review
"Rise of Nations effectively combines elements from different inspirational sources to create an addictive strategy gaming experience."

Computer Gaming World Review (4/5)
“Just the addition of the borders would have made RON stand out in the genre, but the list of new complications is breathtakingly long.”

DailyGame Review (8.5/10)
"Rise of Nations has an almost infinite number of ways to design a game, from network games to just setting up a bunch of AI opponents...Rise of Nations is a must-buy for the RTS fans and anyone ever interested in historical progression through the ages...A great experience through 6,000 years of war that could easily take 6,000 hours of your life."

Stratos Group Review (4.4/5)
"Eighteen civilizations, over a dozen different map styles in five different sizes, an original campaign idea that plays differently every time, a scenario editor…Rise of Nations should be on your hard drive for a long time...No other game uses rollover tooltips as efficiently and effectively as Rise of Nations. Everything you need to know about anything can be gathered by a simple hovering mousepoint."

Ferrago (UK) Review (90%)
"On the whole, Rise of Nations blew me away both in terms of concept and execution, very little areas for improvement remain. There is vast amounts of replayability and while I am writing this review, I'm forcing myself not to load up for 'just one quick battle'...The demo is available for free download on the RoN homepage, and goes a long way to show you some of this games potential, but, gentle reader, if you like the demo... you will adore the full version. Rise of Nations will appeal to hardcore strategists and the real-time strategy fans who might have felt this genre has gone stale. This title, through elegantly combining tried and true concepts from many who came before, has managed to make the RTS genre seem fresh once more."

GameBiz (AUS) Review (4.5/5)
"RoN is one of the most exciting strategy games out there today."

In the Mix (AUS) Review (4.5/5)
"This game is a must for all gamers out there."

Globetechnology Review (4.5/5)
"Walk into any video game store and you'll be up to your ears in real-time strategy games. But every now and then something new such as Microsoft's Rise of Nations stands out from all the run-of-the-mill titles."

Gamers Europe Review (9.5/10)
"...probably the best strategy game I have played in a long time. It oozes quality and is a must-have for every strategy fan. And if you're not keen on strategy, this could well be the one to change your mind - anyone that thinks 'strategy-gaming fun' is an oxymoron has to pick this up. The epitome of RTS pleasure - a new benchmark in the genre has been set."

GamesFirst Review (4/5)
"Rise of Nations is a huge experience that will take you quite some time to fully grasp and digest. Thanks to a user-friendly interface and solid gameplay you'll no doubt come back to it long after you've beat it...few can claim to have done it better than Big Huge Games with Rise of Nations."

Telefragged Review (90%)
"[Rise of Nations] can appeal to all kinds of strategy players...this well-balanced gem is sure to keep RTS fans playing for weeks."

Universal Press Syndicate Review
"This is one of the of the most ambitious games ever produced."

Philadelphia Enquirer Review
"The bottom line? If you like real-time strategy games, you will love Rise of Nations. It is the best of the genre to date."

Game Informer Review
"...a must-have for both strategy and RTS geeks...all told Rise of Nations is as solid as bedrock."

PC Format Review (UK)
"One of the very best strategy games on the PC ever, ever."

Gameplanet NZ Review (5/5: "Perfect")
"Oh, did we forget to mention that Rise of Nations features a great intuitive player interface, a solid multi-player experience, a scenario creator and a script editor? There is most definitely some great bang for your buck. Big Huge Games lives up to it's name by delivering a huge gaming experience that is a must buy for all RTS fans. It's a stunning debut title that deserves all the accolades that are being heaped upon it - go and buy it NOW."

Tim Train Q & A on Sharky Extreme
Producer Tim Train of Big Huge Games about their debut RTS offering, discussing influences, gameplay, comparisons with other games, and more.

San Diego Union Tribune Review (4/4: MUST HAVE)
"If you ever dreamed of playing a game that juxtaposed Civilization with WarCraft, then Rise of Nations is the title for you. I highly recommend it."

TechTV Review (5/5)
"With all the attention that clearly went into the design, it's nice that Big Huge Games didn't skimp on the window dressing. "Rise of Nations" is gorgeous. The game spans eight distinct eras from the primitive to the modern. No matter where you are, the battles look epic. They also look appropriately devastating. Gun and cannon fire comes complete with muzzle flash and tiny wisps of smoke that slowly dissipate...Perhaps the greatest compliment we can give here is we had to tear ourselves away from this game to get this review out...an enthusiastic five out of five."

GameAxis Review
"Rise of Nations is a truly amazing strategy game that filters out the worst and brings out the best of the genre. It doesn't stand out based on graphics, or even sound, for that matter. But it's the more subtle elements of the gameplay that brings so much depth to the game. Whether you prefer varied options for research in your game or a more combat-oriented approach, Rise of Nations will keep you coming back for more. There's just so much variation and possibility to each game."

Computer and Video Games Review (90/100)
"...(Rise of Nations has now taken its place as) without question the most accomplished and thoughtful RTS on the market...What we have in Rise Of Nations is innovation, imagination and the creative impetus of designers...One of the most original and playable RTSs ever."

Maxim Review
"The game spans the world's history from cavemen to a Jetsonian future, but what truly sticks out about this real-time strategy game is that it never lets its engrossing depth create a dull moment. And, even more impressive, it makes you feel infinitely smarter than you really are."

Houston Chronicle Review
"...a meaty cerebral feast with a steaming bowl of adrenaline on the side... Oh, and did I mention that the graphics are totally slick? They are. But you'll be so busy you'll hardly notice."

Gamer.TV Review (9.0)
"...a triumph of both design and content. Simple and complex at the same time, it's a genuinely great slant on the strategy genre."

ReviewGamer (AUS) Review (9.4)
"From a distance and after many days playing Rise of Nations and prior to that the beta version, I feel comfortable saying that Microsoft has backed a winner."

Game Revolution Review (B+)
"...the fantastic single player campaign of Rise of Nations has definitely rekindled my interest in global conquest, and I recommend it highly to any of you with a streak of imperialism."

VGM Fusion Review (9.40)
"Real Time Strategy has always been one of the most popular gaming genres, and Rise of Nations is one of the best titles to ever hit that genre. With its smart city management, the use of National borders, and emphasis on brains over brawn, RON is one the best games to come out in 2003, and effectively raises the bar on RTS. It almost goes without saying that you need to have Rise of Nations in your gaming library."

PC.IGN Review
"Rise of Nations is incredibly rich in optional gaming conditions. Multiplayer is fun, standalone is a challenge, the AI is among the best I've seen in an RTS, and the learning curve is surprisingly slight."

Strategy Informer Review (9.4/10)
"When you take into account the versatility, longevity and downright playability of this game, you can easily see that this is going to be THE RTS game of the year and will be the game that sets the new benchmark for all others to follow."

UGO Review (A-)
"If you take time to explore the many levels of this game, the rewards will be great. You will find that the realism and depth that you enjoy in turn-based games is present and very accessible. The RTS portion is parceled out in small, easy to digest portions that will soon have you hooked. In short, Rise Of Nations has significantly raised the bar in the real-time arena while injecting some much-needed excitement. It manages to be deep, novel and complex without being irritating or overwhelming. It will reinvigorate your sense of discovery. It is what a new gaming experience should be.The ridiculous number of units and animations is impressive, though.Great single-player campaign and multiplayer support. A truly innovative RTS."

Warcry Review
"Rise of Nations passed my critical test; the "I've GOT to play ONE MORE TIME" feeling, even at 3 in the morning...which reminds me, I've written enough...the Aztecs are calling and they're bringing Atlatls...time to break out the Manchu Musketeers!"

GameSpy Review (90/100: Outstanding)
"A must-buy for fans of the RTS genre.Rise of Nations isn't a "huge" game solely because it spans so many eras; it's also loaded to the gills with options and game types. There are so many choices and custom options when setting up a game that even the most jaded real-time fan should find something that interests them.Rise of Nations has everything it takes to be a huge success: a historical setting, a big name publisher, an easy-and-effective multiplayer setup, and a highly tweaked version of a classic design model. Classic real-time gaming simply doesn't get much better than this."

GameGuru Mania Review (90%)
"I definitely enjoyed the Rise of Nations. It's damn addictive and the more you play the more you like it :) At last an RTS that combines the good things from past games while providing enough innovation to change the gameplay substantially. If you like this genre I recommend to buy it."

GameSpot AU Review (8.0/10)
"A great step forward in original strategy gaming, Rise of Nations demands that the player become not just a manager of people, resources and armies but now a statesman with an eye on the progression of a country from multiple perspectives. Civic, trade, military and technological advancement all play a part in your success and need to be co-coordinated with supreme finesse. Rise of Nations offers a genuinely new challenge in the pursuit of diplomatic, trade and geo-political goals from a historical and strategic stand point while still holding onto battlefield action and knife-edge decision making, and is highly recommended for fans of the strategy genre."

San Jose Mercury News Review (3.5/4)
"It seems Bill Gates just can't get enough of building empires. And in the case of Microsoft's new ``Rise of Nations'' computer game, that's a good thing."

San Francisco Chronicle Review (5/5: Wild Applause)
"[Serious gamers] will be enjoying 'Rise of Nations' for the rest of the year."

Cincinatti Enquirer Review
"This game combines the best elements of turn-based simulation and real-time strategy action."

GamingNEXT Review (92/100)
"...you need to snatch this title up. It is worth every penny you pay for it whether you get it for a LAN party or just want a good, challenging, solo game. It has been a really long time since I was this impressed about a title, so go out, (and) get Rise of Nations."

Gamezilla Review (4.25/5: Buy)
"Where this game really innovates is with the campaign game. This gives the most interesting and unique experiences yet in a RTS game, and one of the best long-form solitaire features in any genre."

Next Level Gaming Review
"RON is a strong title which has impressive game play and completely customize environments, its mixture of Civilization and Age of Mythology is enough to keep any gamer entangled in its endless playable scenarios which almost guarantee the that no two endings are alike."

Gamers.com Interactive Screenshots

Firing Squad Interview
Big Huge honcho Brian Reynolds talks about RTS, turn-based strategy, the future of Big Huge, making his wildest ideas work, coding the rules, and the semiotics of Attrition damage.

GameSpot Q&A
Big Huge boss Brian Reynolds talks about executing good ideas, customizing the game to your liking, the time-consuming horror of in-game micromanagement, the non-linear Conquer the World (turn-based and real-time combination) campaign, and the pleasures of different nations and "real history."

CVG Q&A
Big Huge Games chief Brian Reynolds discusses the satisfaction of combining his favorite elements of turn-based and real-time strategy games, micromanagement, multiplayer, knights, tanks, and strategic depth.

The Wargamer Interview
The Wargamer interviews Designer Brian Reynolds.